Science Advisory Report  2014/024

Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas (EBSA) in northern Foxe Basin, Nunavut

Summary

• Three Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas (EBSA)s were identified and delineated in the northern Foxe Basin study area based on the best available biological and ecological information available at the advisory meeting and local knowledge from meetings held in Igloolik and Hall Beach.
• The Rowley Island EBSA has high productivity at or near the sea ice edge, important habitat for Atlantic Walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) and Bowhead Whale (Balaena mysticetus), and serves as a migratory corridor for several species of marine mammals.
• The Igloolik Island EBSA contains a polynya(s) that supports a number of species including Bowhead Whale and Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) during critical periods in their life history; and serves as a migratory corridor for several species of marine mammals.
• The topography and physical conditions through the Fury and Hecla Strait EBSA creates the conditions for biologically and ecologically important habitat in the other two identified EBSAs. It also has Polar Bear denning sites along the north coast and serves as a migratory corridor for several species of marine mammals.
• All three EBSAs provide feeding and/or staging areas for marine birds.
• On the basis of the two community meetings, the northern boundary of the Rowley Island EBSA was extended to incorporate important habitat for Walruses and the southern boundary was extended to incorporate important habitat for Walruses and marine birds.
• Since the limits of the Rowley Island EBSA and Igloolik Island EBSA are based on the seasonal and complex nature of ice extent and the formation (polynyas and ice edges), their boundaries are somewhat variable. Thus the outlines of these EBSAs, as presented in this document, should be considered an approximation and the precautionary approach should be used in the management of activities in areas within or adjacent to these EBSA.
• As new information becomes available and/or effects of human activities like climate change or resource development occur, the boundaries of the three EBSAs and the potential for additional EBSAs in the study area should be re-evaluated.

This Science Advisory Report is from the June 29, 2009 (Winnipeg, MB), September 10, 2009 (Igloolik, NU) and November 19, 2009 (Hall Beach, NU) meetings for the Ecologically and Biologically Significant Areas selection process for northern Foxe Basin. Additional publications from this meeting will be posted on the DFO Science Advisory Schedule as they become available.

Complete document (PDF, 837 KB)

Inuktitut Atuinnaummijuq (PDF, 627 KB)

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